Rugby Football History All Blacks Barbarians Canada British & Irish Lions Ireland Scotland Springboks USA Wales Wallabies Introduction Originally the number of players in a game of Rugby football was not limited, and there were no formal playing positions. Games at rugby school were simply played by however many boys wanted to play in a particular game. A kind of huge rolling maul developed, moving around the field since there was a very limited amount of space on the field in which to run. As the game began to be played between different schools and clubs a fixed number of players was needed. This then allowed players to start specializing in certain positions and to develop particular skills appropriate to those positions. Rugby teams were then limited to twenty players made up of seventeen forwards and three full backs whose sole job was to maintain possession if the opposition managed to hack it out the scrum. Circa 1875 the number of players in a team was reduced to fifteen (ten forwards and five backs). Today the player names, positions and numbers worn on shirts are defined by the International Rugby Board (IRB).

Players usually have the following position names and numbers although there are some local variations in namingin common use: F full back 1 & 3 Prop Along with the hooker, the loose-head and tight-head props make up what is known as the front row, which refers to their position in the scrum. To be successful, both props must be extremely strong in the neck, shoulders, upper body and legs, and they should relish head-to-head competition. While stopping their side of the scrum from moving backwards, the props also support the hooker's body weight, allowing him or her to see and strike the ball when it is put into the scrum. In the lineout, props should be able to support or lift the jumper to prevent the opposition winning the ball. Away from set pieces, props help to secure the ball when a player has been tackled, so it helps if they can combine their power with a degree of mobility. You’ll also often see them used as battering rams in attack, receiving short passes after a ruck or maul and hitting the opposition defence at pace in an attempt to occupy the defenders and make space for their own backs.

2 Hooker Lining up in the scrum between the two props, the hooker is one of the forwards’ key decision-makers. He or she will coordinate the timing at the scrum, and is also responsible for winning possession in the scrummage by hooking the ball back through the props' legs. To allow the hooker to do this effectively, the props support much of the hooker’s weight, leaving him or her free to concentrate on hooking the ball back, rather than pushing against the opposition forwards. For this reason the hooker is often the smallest member of a front-row trio. At the lineout he or she is responsible for throwing the ball in and must be able to accurately hit the lineout jumper who is expecting the ball. In open play the hooker plays a similar role to the props, securing possession at rucks and mauls, or taking short ‘crash’ passes. 4 & 5 Lock The second row forwards (also known as locks) are the engine room of the scrum and the target men in the lineout, meaning that they need to be tall, powerful players with excellent scrummaging technique and pinpoint timing.

If they bind to each other and the props too loosely in the scrum their pack will lose power, and if they are not accurate and dynamic with their lineout jumping, it offers the opposition forwards a chance to steal possession. In open play the second row’s duties have evolved from being support players at rucks and mauls to ball carriers. If a marauding second row is comfortable with the ball in hand, their bulk and power makes them very difficult to stop. 6 & 7 Flanker Open-side and blind-side flankers are often considered to be the players with the fewest set responsibilities, but as such must be excellent all-rounders with inexhaustible energy. Speed, strength, fitness, tackling and handling skills are all vital. Flankers are more often than not at the centre of the action – winning balls at the ruck and maul, collecting short passes from tackled players and making their own big tackles in open play. While they can rarely be blamed for a loss, they can certainly be the key to victory. The open-side flanker plays on the far side of the scrum from the touchline and is often smaller in size than their blind-side partner, making them more mobile around the pitch.

The blind-side flanker tends to have bigger, more physical role around the pitch, and also acts as a target jumper in the lineout. 8 Number Eight Support play, tackling and ball-carrying are the No.8’s areas of expertise, making his or her duties similar to the two flankers. Together the trio forms a unit called the back row. Binding on right at the back of the scrum, the No.8 is also the only player from the forwards who is allowed to pick the ball up from the base of the scrum. It is a move that is often used to gain vital yards when a team is scrummaging close to the opposition try line, and for it to be truly effective the No.8 must be an explosive, dynamic runner. 9 Scrum-Half Acting as the link between the forwards and the backs, the scrum half is a key player when it comes to building attacks. Playing just behind the forwards, a good scrum half will control exactly when the ball is fed out to the backs from the rear of a scrum, ruck or maul. A scrum half needs good vision, speed and awareness, quick hands and lightning reactions.

They tend to be one of the smaller players on the pitch and so rely on protection from their own forwards. An indecisive or poorly protected scrum half makes easy meat for a rampaging opposition flanker. 10 Fly-Half The heartbeat of the side and arguably the most influential player on the pitch. Almost every attack will go through the fly half, who also has the responsibility of deciding when to pass the ball out to the centres and when to kick for position. The fly half must orchestrate the team's back line, deciding what rehearsed moves to put into action and reacting to gaps in defence. He or she is also the main target for the defending team's open-side flanker and so must be strong in the tackle. The fly half has to be able to relieve territorial pressure by kicking down the field into touch, and is often the team's designated place kicker for conversions, penalties and drop goal attempts. In defence he or she will marshal the backs to ensure each opposition player is covered, and a strong-tackling fly half can snuff out opposition attacks before they start. 11 & 14 Wing Playing out wide on the side of the pitch, the winger is a team’s finisher in attack.

A winger is also often the last line of defence when they don’t have the ball and as such, pace is their major resource. 12 & 13 Centre The inside centre – who stands closest to the fly half when the backs line up – and the outside centre tend to be strong, dynamic runners with a good eye for exposing gaps in the opposition defence. In attack they tend to run very direct lines. The centres take on their opposite number in an attempt to either break the defensive line, or draw in enough opposition defenders to create space and try-scoring opportunities for their team-mates. As such they need to be strong and powerful, and when attack turns into defence, they must also be accomplished at tackling. The inside centre is often the more creative in a centre pairing and should be able to pass and kick nearly as well as the fly half. In either defence or attack, the inside centre tends to be all action – dishing out the tackles and then drawing the opposition defence. Meanwhile, the outside centre tends to be the faster of the two and the ability to offload the ball quickly to the wingers is also vital.

15 Full-back Lining up behind the entire back line, the full back is the closest thing that rugby has to a sweeper in defence. But they also receive deep kicks from the opposition, so they must be comfortable catching high balls and launching attacks from the resulting possession. As such, the full back must have enough tactical awareness to recognise when to counter-kick, and when to run with the ball, often from deep within his or her half. Having started life as a winger, ex-England, Sale and British Lions player Jason Robinson was an excellent example of a running full back who also had the ability to kick his way out of trouble – the perfect combination for a number 15. This high-pressure position is not for the faint-hearted, but those who can combine tackling, kicking, catching and running with a cool head can excel here. Player line-up Players will typically line up as follows at a scrum: Position Hierarchy Here is a hierarchy of player position naming including collective terms, the corresponding common player numbering shown in parenthesis: Forwards Notes: In some countries the term halfback refers solely to the scrum half, while in other countries it applies to both the scrum half and the fly half.

New Zealand saw advantage in having a fourth player in the three-quarters placing a forward between the half back and the three-quarters. Legend has it that the position was named by deciding that the half back was 4/8ths and the three-quarters 6/8ths, so therefore the new position must be a 5/8ths. When fly half play developed they introduced the first 5/8th and the second 5/8th. Hence the fly half is sometimes referred to as the 1st 5/8, implying a slightly deeper position than halfback and the inside centre is sometimes referred to as the 2nd 5/8 implying a more forward position than a 3/4 back. Centres used to be called Centre Three-quarters and Wings, Wing Three-quarters. The term three quarters collectively describes the centers, wings and full-back. In some countries the Flankers are referred to as 'Break-aways' e.g. New Zealand. In some countries the No. 8 is referred to as the 'Last man down' e.g. New Zealand.

Additional collective terms: History of Positions Origin of the Half-Back (collective name for Fly-half and Scrum-half) Originally the rules described three full backs which was later changed to one and the other two players were then stationed at a midpoint between the forwards and the full backs and were to be called half-way backs. In time this was shortened to half backs. Their role and that of the full back continued to be to fall on the ball in the event of the opposition hacking it out of the scrum. Origin of Fly-Half In 1878 at Cardiff, in Wales, they developed a short pass to one of the half backs who would then go charging ahead with the ball. He became known as the flying half back which in time was shortened to the fly half. In New Zealand the fly half is sometimes referred to as the 1st 5/8, implying a slightly deeper position than halfback. Origin of the three-quarters In the 1880’s the game had spread to the Universities, particularly Cambridge and Oxford, whose input lead to far more thought being put into the game and the style of play that was developed.

They were instrumental in the development of the games tactics, the introduction of need to practice and the coaching of the players. In addition they re organised the scrum, developed short passes amongst the forwards and long passes amongst the backs. This led to the need for more players to be placed in the back line between the halves and the full back. The fraction between a half and a whole (full) is three-quarters. Note: One alternative theory for why they are called three-quarters is that these new positions were called 'quarters' and the fact that three of them were put in this position led to them being known as three-quarters. But this seems unlikely since there is an obvious progression from Half-back (half-way from the from of the scrum to the full back), Five-eighths, three-quarters, full back.. Scotland claim the honour of having first introduced a third three-quarter, against Ireland in 1881. Origin of the centre and wings The middle player being called the centre with the two on his outside called wings. Fouth three-quarter The introduction of a fourth player into the three-quarters was to a large extent, accidental, with Wales again being allowed to take the honour.

In 1885 Cardiff were due to play a tough match away from home and their first choice centre was not available so they promoted one Frank E. Hancock from the second side in his place. Hancock was a great success scoring two vital tries. When the Cardiff selectors sat down to pick their team for the next match they were keen to revert to their original team, but they were most reluctant to drop Hancock, so they compromised by introducing a fourth three-quarter. Within two years Wales had introduced it at international level. The New Zealanders were quick to see the advantage of having a fourth player in the three-quarters. Their solution was to pull a forward out the pack and put him between the half back and the three-quarters. Their problem was what did they call the new position. Legend has it that consent was reached by deciding that the half back was 4/8ths and the three-quarters 6/8ths, so therefore the new position must be a 5/8ths, a name that has continued to this day in that country. When fly half play developed they introduced the first 5/8th and the second 5/8th. Origin of the Number 8 This is a two-part question.

In summary, the No 8 position evolved in South Africa, but was christened in New Zealand. a) How did the No.8 evolve? The position now known as No.8 evolved in South Africa in the 1920s. Before the Great War a number of scrum patterns were tried. Most involved a three-man front-row in a 3-3-2 or more commonly 3-2-3 pack. Paddy Carolin of the 1906 Springboks claimed to have experimented with a 3-4-1 formation. New Zealand most notably always used a 2-3-2 system. Their so-called diamond scrum had a rover to act as a detached winging forward who could also double as a second scrum-half. The Law dictating that a scrum must have a three-man front-row did not come into effect until the 1951-2 season (Law 15c.). New Zealand apart, forwards in Test matches were selected primarily for their all-round skills - there were no fixed position in the early days.

The first forwards up for a scrum were the first to pack down, although by the early 1900s there was usually one player specifically chosen to hook and one to act as a wing forward. There is evidence that early Australian and French packs experimented with fixed places for their players under the 3-2-3 formation, but it wasn't until 1923 that Wavell Wakefield, as pack leader, allocated fixed positions to England's forwards. Two were devolved to prop up their hooker, while two formed the second-row. Behind them was a back-row of two wing-forwards either side of a middle man who was then called the lock or lock-forward - the position from which the No 8 has evolved. England won the Grand Slam that year and specialism became the norm in the Home Unions. Meanwhile in South Africa, Oubaas Markötter of the famous Stellenbosch club developed the 3-4-1 pack formation to curb a fly-half named Bennie Osler, who was the master kicker and tactician for their great rivals at the University of Cape Town.

Markötter's new scrum was essentially the 3-2-3 scheme but with the wing-forwards from the back-row flanking the second-row instead - and therefore closer to the fly-half. That helped to address the Osler problem, but other advantages of the formation became apparent. With only one man at the back, the ball was heeled from the scrum more quickly, while the opposing scrum-half and loose forwards found it harder to disrupt possession. In addition, the inward push from the flankers at the scrum channelled considerable drive through their props and put extra pressure on the opposition hooker. All South Africa embraced the 3-4-1 scrum and by 1928 it was the preferred formation for the Springboks in their home series with the All Blacks. In the first Test their scrum was a revelation to the New Zealanders, who were demolished 17-0. It wasn't until a few years later, however, that modern back-row play evolved. Markötter considered how to make the best use of a gifted Stellenbosch threequarter named André McDonald, who was not fast enough for a back and not big enough for a forward.

McDonald was moved to the solo position at the back of the scrum where he inter-played with his scrum-half in attack and was deployed as a shadow flanker in defence. So the prototype for the No.8 evolved in South Africa as a much looser player than his forerunner, the lock. South Africa still sought strong forwards who could push from the back of the scrum, but attacking and defensive duties for which the prime attribute was mobility became part of the job description. The Springboks toured Britain/Ireland in 1931-32, demonstrating the new scrum formation and back-row tactics to the Home Unions, and in 1933 Australia saw them for the first time when they were beaten in a series in South Africa. By the time war broke out in 1939, most of the world's rugby-playing nations had bowed to Springbok supremacy, adopting the 3-4-1 pack and refining back-row tactics. The main dissenters were the Scots, who persisted with the old 3-2-3 system until the mid 1950s. b) When was the term No.8 first used?

It was not until the 1940s that the expression No.8 became recognised worldwide as part of rugby's lexicon. Finding a common name for the sole player at the back of the 3-4-1 scrum seems to have taken some time. In the Home Unions he was still referred to as the lock or lock-forward, as he had been in the 3-2-3 system. Australian reports of the 1937 Tests against the Springboks refer to the position as anchor-man or solo-lock. South Africans called him the eighthman (as many of the old-timers out there still do), in New Zealand he was usually the back-row or back-row forward and to the French he was le troisième ligne centre. Numbering of players in Tests was a haphazard affair until the 1960s. In the Five Nations, some teams numbered from 1 to 15 from the back, starting with the fullback and finishing with a flanker (so that the back-row man was number 14). France and Ireland often numbered in reverse starting from the front-row, making the middle-man of the loose trio number 7.

Wales even used letters throughout the 30s and 40s making him letter N! Players on tour were numbered 1 to 30 and kept their allocated numbers for Tests. Old Test programmes show that the earliest efforts to number the back-row man with jersey eight were in New Zealand's South Island during the 1930s. For NZ v Australia at Dunedin in 1936 and NZ v SA at Christchurch in 1937 the All Blacks' back-row man wore this number. Abbreviating the South African term eighthman to No.8 originated there and the noted New Zealand rugby historian, Arthur Swan, was among the first to refer to him in print as the "number-eight". When post-war Tests resumed in 1946, New Zealand led the way in regularly numbering their back-row man in the eight jersey. Curiously, South Africa's Hennie Muller, who played Test rugby between 1949 and 1953 and was universally hailed as the definitive eighthman of his day, never wore an eight shirt in a Test, although by 1951 the British press were referring to him as the team's No 8.

It was not until the 1960s that the shirt number universally matched its position's name in Test matches. Rugby union positions | Rugby Union | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit Individual players' positions are made clear by the number they wear, as this generally indicates their role on the pitch (unless they are a substitute or have switched position during the match). This means a player does not get a personal squad number for his entire career, as you tend to see in most American sports, or in football. The International Rugby Board (IRB) has laid down a numbering scheme for international matches, which is adopted at almost all levels of the sport. The main role of the forwards is to gain and retain possession of the ball. They take part in set pieces of the scrum and the line-out . Generally, forwards are larger than the backs, and were traditionally stronger but slower and less agile. However, the modern game has seen a change in the athleticism of forwards - many are now just as fast and adept in open play as their counterparts in the backs. Forwards also have a role in ball carrying, but generally do so by driving into the opposing forwards.

The Laws of the Game define the terms prop, hooker, locks, flankers and number eights and clearly state that a 3-2-3 or 3-4-1 formation must be used at scrums . The role of the backs is to take the ball won by the forwards and score points, either by running or kicking the ball. They are usually more agile and faster than forwards, but not as strong. The key attribute for most positions in the back line is pace - however, the various specialist positions also require different skills, for example, the kicking abilities needed by a good flyhalf or fullback. Again, the type of person who would traditionally play in the backs - small, agile, fast - is changing, with the advent of professionalism bringing increased size and strength into the backs. The following diagram locates the various positions in the 15-man team. All members of the starting 15 wear shirts numbered from 1 to 15 and keyed to their positions (though alternatives exist); these numbers appear on the diagram below. The first eight players, known as forwards or the pack, play in the scrum . The remaining seven players play as the backs.

Alternative names for positions The fullback and the wingers Outside backs The outside centre, wings and full back The fly-half is alternatively called the "stand-off half", since they are the half-back that stands off from the scrum rather than close to it. In the southern hemisphere, especially in New Zealand, this position is sometimes referred to as 'first five-eighth', or just 'five-eighth' - see below. The use of the terms 'open' and 'blind' can also be confused. The two flankers are typically arranged so that one binds to the scrum on the open side of the field. This will usually be his position throughout the game, with the other flanker always taking the closed 'blind' side - also called the short side. Rarely these flankers interchange roles, simply taking the left or right side of the scrummage, irrespective of field position. Centres will always line up as inside and outside centre - it is rare for them to always take left and right positions. For the winger, it is different - he/she will be either on the left or right side, so may be referred to as either the blindside or openside winger, depending on his position for a particular play in the game...

New Zealand Terms Edit In New Zealand the fly half is referred to as the first five eighth, implying a slightly deeper position than halfback (the term halfback can cause confusion since some countries use it to refer solely to the scrum half, while other countries apply it to both the scrum half and the fly half) and the inside centre as the second five eighth implying a more forward position than a three quarter back. Flankers may also, though this is more historic usage, be referred to as "wing-forwards" (also an archaic term for an obsolete position associated with the old 2-3-2 scrum, popular in New Zealand in the 1920s), or together with the No 8 as "loose-forwards", since they can quickly detach from scrums. Australian Terms Edit In Australia , the second row of the scrum are often referred to as both "second row" and "locks". The forwards on either side of the locks are known as "flankers" with the No.8 known as the "No.8". Australians collectively refer to the flankers and No.

8 as the "back-row", with flankers and No.8 also often individually called "back-rowers". Props and Hookers are known collectively as "Front Rowers". In the backs, the terms often overlap with that of Rugby's popular derivation, Rugby League, with Fly half's called "5/8's or Five-Eight's" and Scrumhalves "Halfback's". South African terms Many rugby union players in South Africa are native Afrikaans speakers, and use positional terms unique to that language, although in many cases the terms are a literal translation from the English. Prop Edit The full back stands back to cover defensive options as a 'sweeper' behind the main line of defence removed from the other backs. As the last line of defence, they require good tackling skills. They have to catch the high kicks referred to as " up and unders ", " Garryowens " or " bombs ". Having taken a catch, the full back may choose to return the kick, and so good tactical awareness and kicking skills are required. Increasingly often, full backs are used to start counter-attacking moves from depth. Thus, they need to have excellent attacking skills, pace and open field running prowess.

In attack, the full back may also run into the back line at pace, providing an extra man, either a decoy runner or an extra man creating an overlap. Edit The wings act as "finishers" on movements by scoring tries. The idea is that space should be created by the forwards and backs inside the wingers so that once they receive the ball, they have a clear run for the try-line. Wings are almost always the quickest members of the team, but also need to be able to side step and otherwise avoid opponents in order to score tries. In modern games, wingers often "come off the wing" to provide extra men in the midfield, in the same vein as a full back, particularly if play has moved away from their wing. Traditionally, wingers are small and fast but since the game became professional (and largely due to Jonah Lomu ), wingers are often as big as forwards. Wingers of this variety are often used as extra flankers to gain the "hard yards". Wingers often act as additional full backs on opposition kicks. In addition to this responsibility, they must get back from an opposition kick to give the full back options on either side.

The modern game means that the back three tend to act as a unit in fielding kicks and counterattacking, rather than all responsibility lying with the full back. Wingers need to have all the skills of a full back, though the emphasis would be on attack rather than defence. As such, many players are as competent on the wing as at full back. A common tactic is to have the winger receive the ball and then cut towards the centre of the pitch. This changes the direction of play, which may catch the opposition off guard, or may create space for the outside centre to receive a switch pass or "scissors pass". A modern use of the wing is as a link player. They retain all the traditional skills of a wing, but are able to combine these with skills more traditionally associated with half backs. As the play goes through multiple phases, the scrum-half or fly-half may be taken out of the play. If this occurs the blind side wing can step in to perform a creative role. Good examples of players filling this role include Breyton Paulse , Shane Williams and more recently Sitiveni Sivivatu .

Edit Centres need to have a strong all-round game: they need to be able to break through opposition lines and pass the ball accurately. When attack turns into defence they need to be strong in the tackle. Usually the two centres are divided into outside centre and inside centre, though sometimes teams play with left and right centres. The inside centre is typically the heavier, more powerful of the two centres. In defence or attack, the inside centre is always in the thick of the action, drawing the opposition's defence, making the breaks to make the space for the outside centre and dishing out the tackles in defence along with the forwards. Some of the skills of the fly-half, such as distribution and kicking, can be advantageous to inside centres, as they may be expected to act as fly-halves if the normal fly-half is involved in a ruck or maul. The outside centre tends to be the smaller of the two centres. They are the "rapiers" that are given the ball, normally via the fly half, or inside centre to make breaks through the opposition backs before offloading to the wingers after drawing the last line of defence. Good size and tackle breaking skills are very important for outside centres to have.

They may also need to be very aggressive in defence, espescially when a team is using a rush up style defence. Centres in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Tony O'Reilly ( Ireland and Lions ), André Boniface ( France ), Mike Gibson ( Ireland and Lions ), Philippe Sella ( France ), Tim Horan ( Australia ), Jo Maso ( France ) and Gwyn Nicholls ( Wales and Lions ). 10. Fly-half Edit The fly-half position is a portmanteau of flying half back. This position is one of the most influential on the pitch. The fly-half makes key tactical decisions during a game — whether to kick for space or tactical advantage, move the ball to his outside backs, return the ball to his forwards to drive on to or run with the ball himself. An ideal fly-half should be a fast and deceptive runner, be able to make decisions quickly, direct the backline on defence and attack, have excellent kicking and handling skills and the ability to cope under pressure. Strong leadership skills are crucial for this position, as well as strong defensive skills.

Games are rarely won on tries alone, and a fly-half who is also the goal kicker (which is often the case) can be the most important player in the side. Edit Scrum halves form the all-important link between the forwards and the backs, and are invariably at the centre of the action. A scrum half is normally relatively small but with a high degree of vision, the ability to react to situations very quickly, and good handling skills, as well as the ability to spin the ball with great ease off both hands. They are often the first tackler in defence and are behind every scrum , maul or ruck to get the ball out and maintain movement. They put the ball into the scrum and collect it afterwards; they also are allowed to stand further forward than other backs at a line-out to try to catch knock downs from the jumper. It is also not unusual to have talkative scrum-halves in competitive situations. Though technically illegal, most scrum-halves will subtly alert the referee to fouls and infringements committed by the opposing team - Austin Healey being an excellent case in point. The neutrality of this statement is disputed. Please start a discussion on the talk page.

Edit The role of both the loose- and tighthead props is to support the hooker in the scrum and to provide effective, dynamic support for the jumpers in the line-out . Along with the second row, the props provide the main power in the push forward in the scrum. For this reason they need to be exceptionally strong. Under modern rules non-specialists are not allowed to play as props (or hooker) as specialist skills are required to assure the scrum does not collapse, a situation which can be very dangerous sometimes resulting in crushing or breaking of the neck and spine. If there are not enough props or hookers on either team (and no replacements are available), uncontested scrums will be set. A tighthead prop is so called because they pack down on the right-hand side of the scrum and so (because the players engage to the left of their opponents) their head fits between the opposing loosehead prop and hooker. In contrast, the loosehead prop packs down on the left-hand side where their head is outside that of the opposing tighthead prop.

Although it may look to the neutral observer that the two positions are quite similar (and some players have the ability to play on both sides of the scrum), the technical challenges of each are quite different. Jason Leonard was one of a rare breed who could prop on either side at the top level. The laws of the game require the tighthead prop to bind with his or her right arm outside the left upper arm of his opposing loosehead prop and similarly they restrict what the loosehead prop can do with his left arm. Although the scrum half may put the ball in on either side of the scrum, he is unlikely to choose the tighthead side because otherwise the opposing hooker would be between him or her and his or her own hooker. Hence, the laws implicitly require the loosehead prop to be on the left side of the scrum. Props are also in the position of being able to direct the movement of the scrum in moving side to side to prevent the other teams scrum from "wheeling" the set scrum and forcing another "put in" from the opposing side. Props in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Wilson Whineray ( New Zealand ) and Syd Millar ( Ireland and Lions ). 2.

Hooker Edit The hooker uses their feet to 'hook' the ball in the scrum , because of the pressure put on the body by the scrum it is considered to be one of the most dangerous positions to play. They also normally throw the ball in at line-outs , partly because they are normally the shortest of the forwards, but more often because they are the most skillful of the forwards. When line-outs go wrong the hooker is often made a scapegoat even though the fault may actually lie with the jumpers. Hookers have more in common with back row forwards than props or locks as they have a roving role at line-outs and do not push as much in the scrum as other front row forwards. In addition, hookers may act as an extra prop in the scrum, instead of contesting the feed, to wreak havoc on opposition feeds. Hookers in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Sean Fitzpatrick ( New Zealand ) and Keith Wood ( Ireland and Lions ). 4. & 5. Lock Edit Locks are almost always the tallest players on the team and so are the primary targets at line-outs .

At line-outs , locks must jump aggressively to catch the ball and get it to the scrum half or at least get the first touch so that the ball comes down on their own side. The two locks stick their heads between the two props and the hooker in the scrums . They are also responsible for keeping the scrum square and the front row together and providing power to shift it forward. (This position is referred to as the "engine room".) Locks are very tall, athletic and have an excellent standing jump along with good strength. They also make good ball carriers, bashing holes in the defence around the ruck and maul. They also have to push the rucks and mauls and are the main figures of rucks and mauls. Edit Template:Verylong The players with the fewest set responsibilities and therefore the position where the player should have all round attributes: speed, strength, fitness, tackling and handling skills. Flankers are always involved in the game, as they are the real ball winners in broken play, especially the no. 7. Because of their fewer responsibilities, flankers generally are not considered to 'lose' games, but can have such an influence that they can 'win' games.

The neutrality of this statement is disputed. Please start a discussion on the talk page. Blindside flankers tend to be bigger (so they can stop the opposite number 8 off the back of scrums) than their partners on the openside who tend to be the smaller, quicker players. In open play, flankers will often stand behind the back line 'supporting' them in open play. If any ball is dropped by the backs, the flankers job is to clear up messy ball and take it ito contact to start a fresh and new phase of play. Because they are always close to the ball, they are often first to the break down. Flankers do less pushing in the scrum than the tight five, but need to be fast as their task is to break quickly and cover the opposing half-backs if the opponents win the scrum . At one time, flankers were allowed to break away from the scrum with the ball but this is no longer allowed and they must remain 'bound' to the scrum until the ball is out.

Flankers also have to defend at the back of the scrum if the opposition wins the ball and the opposing number 8 decides to pick and go, a term used to describe the action where the number 8 picks up the ball from the back of the scrum and drives forward with it. Flankers usually protect scrum-halves during scrummages from the opposing scrum-half following around and tackling him/her. The two flankers do not usually bind to the scrum in a fixed position. Instead, the openside (occasionally known as the strong side) flanker will attach to the scrum on whichever side is further from the nearer touchline, while the blind-side (occasionally known as weak side or closed side) flanker attaches himself to the scrum on the side closer to the touchline. Since most of the back play is usually on the open side, where there is more space, it is usually the openside flanker's job to be the first to any breakdown of play and to get his/her hands on any loose ball (or to cause a breakdown by tackling the ball carrier or otherwise harrying him into error).

At a scrum where the ball has been won by the opposition, the openside flanker often has the best view of when the ball is out and is able to break away and close down the opposing ball-carrier, reducing the time available for a pass or kick. Openside flankers are often smaller, faster and more mobile than their blindside counterparts. The blindside flanker has the job of stopping any move by the opponents on the blind (or 'narrow') side from a scrum. This flanker may not be as fast as the openside. Blindside flankers are often responsible for cover defence from set pieces and may play a more physical role at the line-out , where they may well be used as a jumper. They are generally larger than openside flankers. Flankers are not always assigned specific roles as opensides and blindsides. For example, flankers Finlay Calder and John Jeffrey ( Scotland ) played left and right, rather than open and blind.

French teams tend not to make a distinction between the two roles, and their flankers also usually play left and right rather than open and blind: thus, Serge Betsen ( France ) wears the number six (which in most teams denotes a blindside flanker) but may pack down on either the open or blind sides of the scrum, and will often harass the opposition fly-half in the manner of an openside; like Calder and Jeffrey for Scotland, he and Olivier Magne have, in recent years, formed an outstanding left-right partnership for France. South African teams generally use openside and blindside flankers, but play the faster, more agile 'fetcher' in the number six shirt, while the larger (blindside) flanker wears seven. George Smith is a notable flanker who sometimes played on the blindside, but nowadays plays on the openside. Edit Number eight is the only position that does not have a specific name and is simply referred to as 'the number eight'. The modern number eight has the physical strength of a tight forward along with the mobility of other loose forwards. The number eight packs down at the rear of the scrum, controlling the movement of the ball to the scrum-half with his/her feet.

The number 8 is the position where the ball enters the backline from the scrum and, hence, both fly half and inside centre take their role from the number 8 who as the hindmost player in the scrum can elect to pick and run with the ball like a back. As a result, the number 8 has the opportunities as a back to run from set plays. They are normally tall and athletic and used as an option to win the ball from the back of the lineout. Like flankers they do less of the pushing than locks or props, but need to be quick to cover opposition half-backs. A number eight should be a key ball winner in broken play, and occasionally a 'battering ram' at the front of rucks. Some back-row players are versatile enough to play either of the flanker positions or at number 8; one notable example is Joe van Niekerk ( South Africa ). Even more versatile players in this vein are Michael Owen ( Wales and Lions ) and Martin Corry ( England and Lions ), who normally play number 8, but also frequently play at both flanker positions, and have even successfully played at lock.

David Wallace ( Ireland and Lions ) is one of the few players who has experience playing at number 8, both flankers, centre and even on the wing at club level for Munster . Rugby Positions | LineoutCoach.com Key Partners Rugby Positions Rugby positions each have a specific role to play. Different physical attributes are required, although strength and speed are key across the team. Most players will specialise in one or two positions which uses their skills and size to best advantage. The 15 players for each team are on the pitch at all times and play both attacking and defending roles unlike American Football which has offence, defence and special teams that alternate depending on possession. The team is divided into two packs, the Forwards (8 players) and Backs (7 players) and they can stand in any position on the field of play as long as they remain onside. The exception is set piece plays when rugby rules stipulate where each player should be in relation to the ball and opposition. The players wear rugby jerseys with the numbers 1-15 on the back. The number stays with the rugby positions and not the player as it can do in other sports so the hooker is always number 2 for example.

The numbers were introduced in 1920s as a way for coaches to rate the players. Teams can call on substitute players with team numbers (16-23) to cover rugby positions where players are injured, tired or as impact players to turn a match around or close down an opposing team in a close game. Rugby Positions Explained A basic understanding of the rugby positions and the skills of each player will help you enjoy the sport more and appreciate the tactics of the game. Rugby positions names Some of the names for the 15 rugby positions have changed over the years and some have different names in other countries. The IRB use terms favoured by northern hemisphere countries. Variations to these include: Flanker – wing forwards Outside centre – centre three-quarter, centre Wing – wing three-quarter Fly-half – outside half, stand-off half, out half, first five-eighth Scrum-half – half-back Number 8 – 8 man Rugby Positions: Forwards Rugby positions numbers 1-8 on the field are called the Forward pack. They are involved in all the set piece plays and contest the lineouts and scrums.

Larger and more powerful than the Backs, they aim to win or retain the ball and drive the team up the field and in that respect are similar to linebackers or linesman in American Football. Rugby Positions: Front Row Supports hooker in the scrum Lifts jumpers in the lineout Key power at rucks and mauls for retaining ball 2 Hooker Middle of the front row of the scrum Responsible for winning the ball Throws ball at lineouts Rugby positions: Second row (loose forwards/loosies) 4 Lock or lock forward 5 Lock or lock forward Tallest on the field Bind in the scrum and drive forward Rugby positions: Back Row At the back of the scrum Aim to win ball through turnovers 8 Number Eight Link between the forward pack and backs Controls ball at back of scrum before attack begins Rugby Positions: Backs Rugby positions numbers 9-15 are called the Backs. They tend to be smaller than their Foward brothers as they need speed and agility to run the ball into space or kick for goal. They have to maximise the possession and get points on the board so would be similar to running backs or wide receivers in American Football.

Rugby positions: Half-backs Links between forwards and backs Feeds ball into scrum Collects ball from the back 10 Fly-half Directs play on the pitch Good decision maker and communicator Commonly the goal kicker Good reader of the game Direct attacks Score tries and finish plays Fast and agile Powerful enough to break tackles 15 Full Back BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Laws & Equipment | Position guide: Fly-half Laws & Equipment By Jonathan Davies Former Wales and Lions fly-half Rugby may have changed over the past 12 years but the basic skills of the fly-half are still the same. The fly-half - or outside-half, stand-off or first five-eighth, depending on which part of the world you are from - orchestrates the attack and defence of a team. Think of them as the general; running the game, bossing the forwards while keeping the depth of the backs. Someone like Jones controls the game exceptionally well and bosses everyone around However they tend to be a lot tougher now than in the past as opposition teams like to target attacking the channel between the number 10 and 12. As a consequence players like England's Jonny Wilkinson or Stephen Jones of Wales now make as many tackles as the back-row.

But the best outside-halves control the tempo of a game. There are all different types of outside-halves in world rugby, but it's no coincidence the best teams in the world have the best number 10s in the world. You've only got to look at New Zealand's Daniel Carter. He doesn't need to control things as much as other stand-offs because the All Blacks are so far in front of anyone else at the moment. Someone like Jones controls the game exceptionally well and bosses everyone around, as does Ireland's Ronan O'Gara, who has matured and is playing the best rugby of his life. Australia's Stephen Larkham is a different type of outside-half who is more of an attacking threat, running different angles and distributing better passes than other outside-halves. But they all share the same fantastic basic skills and awareness. As the game has gone more professional, some players look over-coached and lack that spontaneity of the past greats like Mark Ella, Barry John or John Rutherford. You need a bit of spark and ingenuity, which usually comes down to the way a fly-half reads a game.

Bookmark with: How does this New Zealand side stack up to the best All Blacks in history? | Sport | The Guardian New Zealand rugby union team How does this New Zealand side stack up to the best All Blacks in history? Heyneke Meyer is in no doubt this is the greatest All Blacks team in history, but do Steven Hansen’s squad compare to the best there has ever been? Does the current team have a wing that can compare to the great Jonah Lomu? Photograph: Richard Sellers/Allstar Picture New Zealand rugby union team How does this New Zealand side stack up to the best All Blacks in history? Heyneke Meyer is in no doubt this is the greatest All Blacks team in history, but do Steven Hansen’s squad compare to the best there has ever been? Wednesday 28 October 2015 20.07 EDT Last modified on Monday 10 October 2016 21.43 EDT Share on Messenger Close Heyneke Meyer was in no doubt, Graham Henry a little less certain yet still pretty sure.

But if this is the greatest All Blacks side in history, and victory against Australia on Saturday would mean it is pretty hard to argue with, how many of the probable starting XV against the Wallabies would make it into an all-time New Zealand side? Comparing the amateur and professional era always has its pitfalls and for that reason, and the absence of sufficient material, the Invincibles of 1924-25 have not been included meaning there is no place for George Nepia, Bert Cooke or Maurice Brownlie. It is It is a subjective exercise, designed to provoke thought, debate and no doubt no little uproar. All Blacks confident but focused ahead of Rugby World Cup final Full-back Probably the most talented member of the current side but the majority of his caps have come on the wing. May well be the best ever full-back in time but the All Blacks do not want for great No15s. Those seduced by the 1987 World Cup success will fondly remember John Gallagher while Bob Scott, during the late 40s and early 50s, was the premier full-back of his time and then there’s his successor Don ‘The Boot’ Clarke.

In terms of longevity, it’s hard to look past Mils Muliaina, bearing in mind his 100 caps, but few can argue that Christian Cullen - with 46 tries in 58 Tests - remains the benchmark to which Smith still aspires. All-time All Blacks No15 Christian Cullen Wings Julian Savea’s try-scoring record – 38 in 40 Tests – is quite remarkable and Nehe Milner-Skudder has started his international career at a similar lick but Jonah Lomu’s impact on rugby union is unparalleled; the rest are playing for second place. Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko ran tries in for fun and before them Jeff Wilson was a wonderfully talented rugby player (not to mention cricketer) but of those to feature in the professional era, Lomu stands head and shoulders above. Before that there was Ron Jarden, whose star shone brightest in the 50s before retirement aged just 26; Malcolm Dick, a powerful wing in 60s, and Bryan Williams, rampant in 1970 against South Africa after almost refusing to get off the plane.

And then there is John Kirwan, a flyer with express pace and scorer of an iconic length-of-the-field try against Italy in 1987. All time All Blacks Nos 11 and 15 Jonah Lomu and John Kirwan Centres Perhaps we will not truly be able to gauge the importance of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith until the All Blacks begin life without them after Saturday’s final. In their 61 starts for the All Blacks they have lost just five times. As a partnership they dovetail perfectly, Nonu’s progression from crash-baller to rounded second five-eighth owing no small debt to having Smith outside him for club and country. Tana Umaga’s versatility does not work in his favour while some will want to see Frank Bunce make the cut. His long-standing partner, Walter Little, may feel aggrieved too. Joe Stanley, centre during the 1987 World Cup earns a cursory nod, as does the partnership of Bill Davis and Ian MacRae, the NZRU president, during the 60s. But the closest challenge to Nonu and Smith comes from Bruce Robertson, a swashbuckling centre in the 70s.

All time All Blacks Nos 12 and 13 Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith Fly-half Has there ever been a more complete fly-half performance than that of Dan Carter in the second 2005 Lions Test? Whether there has ever been a more complete fly-half may take more debating but if there has been they did not wear black. Emerging from the shadows of Andrew Mehrtens for both the Crusaders and the All Blacks in 2003, Carter has pretty much broken every record going. Mehrtens was some player, if perhaps not built for the beasts that the professional era produced, while also-rans include Grant Fox, the mentromic goal-kicker in 1987 but the fly-half with only one try to his name from 46 Tests, and even Carlos Spencer, Fox’s polar opposite who was either mesmeric or miserable, never anything in between. All-time All Blacks No10 Dan Carter Scrum-half Aaron Smith is the leading No9 in the world at present and victory while Justin Marshall remains a popular All Black with 81 caps between 1995 and 2005, having taken on the mantle from another candidate in Graeme Bachop.

Other than Richie McCaw, David Kirk is the only other New Zealander to lift the World Cup but he retired aged 26. Dave Loveridge achieved legend status for his heroics during the 1983 Lions tour, while Chris Laidlaw deserves an honourable mention but did not have the flair or unpredictability of Sid Going, a one-time missionary in Canada and a true livewire for the All Blacks. All-time All Blacks No9 Sid Going No8 Were Kieran Read still producing the kind of form that saw him crowned world player of year in 2013 he would have greater claims but he has ever so slightly slipped from those standards. That he is overlooked is less a slant on him and more in praise of his two main rivals, Zinzan Brooke and Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford. Brooke, he of the infamous 1995 drop goal against England, was a supreme talent with ball in hand. Shelford was an uncompromising type, making his debut in the Battle of Nantes before doling out a bit of retribution to Huw Richards in the 1987 World Cup.

Taking over the captaincy after the tournament, the All Blacks did not lose a match under him. A Notable mentions for Alex ‘Grizz’ Wyllie, cut from the same cloth as Shelford. All-time All Blacks No8 Wayne Shelford Flankers Let’s start by extolling the virtues of Jerome Kaino, probably the finest blindside around at present, before acknowledging he gets nowhere near this side. To somehow combine the ferociousness of Jerry Collins and the athleticism of Josh Kronfield may still not be enough. Ian Kirkpatrick does not even make the bench. Kel Tremain was held in similar esteem to Colin Meads during the 60s; Jock Hobbs and Alan Whetton were stalwarts of the 80s but they were eclipsed by Michael Jones, the standout performer in New Zealand’s 1987 World Cup triumph. He refused to play on Sundays due to his religious beliefs but still amassed the same number of caps as Meads. He started as an openside but will be happy to switch to No6 in this side for Richie McCaw. We have run out of superlatives for the current captain.

He won the World Cup four years ago on one leg, he will have to get the better of David Pocock and Michael Hooper to lift another but few would bet against him. All-time All Blacks Nos 6 and 7 Richie McCaw and Michael Jones Locks Picking one lock is easy, another to go with Sir Colin Meads not so. Meads was the most recognisable forward of his era. Athletic, menacing, talented – he was the archetypal enforcer and named New Zealand’s player of the century in 1999. Contenders to join him in the engine room include Ian Jones – not the biggest but one of the most talented who won 79 caps in the 90s – and more recently Ali Williams and Brad Thorn, gladiators who refused to call it a day until the World Cup was won for a second time. Before that there’s Murray Pierce, part of the 87 side, Peter Whiting, one of Meads’s partners in crime and Andy Haden, well-versed in the dark arts.

But both Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are worthy of taking their place alongside Meads; Retallick is the reigning world player of the year and just 24 but Whitelock, perhaps less heralded, is all the more impressive. He may win his second World Cup on Saturday aged just 27. It is not inconceivable he wins four of the things before he is finished. All-time All Blacks Nos 4 and 5 Sir Colin Meads and Sam Whitelock Props With Joe Moody just embarking on his Test career, Owen Franks falling into the solid if unspectacular and Wyatt Crockett, not certain to return to fitness for Saturday’s final, it is fair to say that he current crop of props do not trouble their predecessors. If Tony Woodcock had not been injured against Tonga in New Zealand’s final pool match, they would have however. Woodcock, with 118 caps, is now retired but was New Zealand’s premier loosehead for more than a decade and scored their only try in the 2011 World Cup final which alone earns him the No1 jersey.

Wilson Whineray, who made his debut on the same day as Meads, can consider himself unfortunate to miss out. Ken Gray, who played during the 60s but refused to tour South Africa in 1970 could easily have been picked on either side, likewise Kevin Skinner who was also the national heavyweight boxing champion in 1947. The tighthead Gary Knight impressed in the late 70s and 80s after a Commonwealth Games wrestling medal in 1974 and Carl Hayman more recently was a world class international but cut his career short by moving to Europe in 2007 but none were better than the unassuming Olo Brown, Sean Fitzpatrick’s right-hand man through the 90s. All-time All Blacks Nos 1 and 3 Tony Woodcock and Olo Brown Hookers If the sole aim of a hooker was to crop up on the wing and race in from 30m out then Coles would be a shoo-in but judging on the more traditional attributes of a hooker, he has a little way to go. Thoughts turn immediately to Sean Fitzpatrick, and for good reason.

Listen to him talk about the All Blacks today and his passion still burns while look at the mangled state of his fingers for an idea of his commitment. Keven Mealamu, who may make his 132 appearance on Saturday, has bits of Coles and Fitzpatrick in him while Bruce McLeod was a fearsome competitor in the 60s, never shy of confrontation while before him in the 50s there was Ron Hemi, who set in motion on the greatest All Blacks tries in history against the Springboks by smashing ‘Popeye Strydom’. Andy Dalton, like Fitzpatrick, a second generation All Black stands out from the crowd too. All-time All Blacks No2 Sean Fitzpatrick (capt) Positions – Talk Rugby Union Scroll Up Rugby Union Positions Aside from the obvious, one major distinction between football and rugby union is the latter’s extra emphasis on positional discipline. Whereas football is decidedly fluid, with most players having the freedom to assist in areas which are not their forte and often having personal squad numbers, rugby union players are numbered according to their position, with each one carrying with it a series of responsibilities.

The basic split in a 15-man rugby union side is between the eight Forwards (numbered 1-8) and the seven Backs (numbered 9-15). These two camps both have basic tasks to achieve as a group but, more specifically, contain players with particular skills to complete them successfully. The Forwards The Forwards’ chief responsibility is to gain and retain possession of the ball, whether in open play or from set pieces such as the scrum and the line-out. They will contain the most physically intimidating members of the team, with weight and power a major issue. However, as general athletic standards have increased in the modern game, so Forwards are today expected to have some speed and agility, particularly when carrying the ball. The Forwards are made up of the following positions: Loosehead Prop (No. 1) The loosehead prop supports the hooker in the scrum and the jumpers in the line-out. He/she must have plenty of power for the scrum but, at the same time, they are vital to the proper functioning and movement of the scrum. Indeed, when substituting a prop, his/her replacement must be a prop themselves, such are the skills required.

More specifically, the loosehead prop can be found on the left-hand side of the scrum and is so called because he/she is not locked into the scrum. Instead, his/her head is outside that of the opposition tighthead prop Tighthead Prop (No. 3) Identical to the loosehead prop, but the tighthead packs down on the right-hand side of the scrum and is named ‘tighthead’ because they are locked between two opponents (the loosehead prop and the hooker). There are other subtle differences in technique, which you will pick up as you get further into the sport. Famous Props – Jason Leonard (England), Wilson James Whineray (New Zealand). Hooker (No. 2) The hookers are unsurprisingly responsible chiefly for hooking the ball with their feet in the scrum, although some are experienced and skilled enough to act as an extra prop as well (to complicate opposition feeds by the scrum-half). The hooker additionally usually throw the ball at line-outs, and it’s their responsibility to ensure success with good distribution. Famous Hookers – Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand) The Locks (Nos.

4 & 5) The locks are typically the tallest players and act as targets at line-outs, having to catch and distribute to the scrum-half or at least pat the ball on his/her team’s side. At the scrum, they are vitally located between the props and the hooker, and provide balance and momentum to the team’s efforts. They are also extremely important in rucks and mauls, and need to be effective ball carriers, making the locks pivotal to how the forwards generally operate and succeed. Famous Locks – Martin Johnson (England), Colin Meads (New Zealand), John Eales (Australia) Blindside Flanker (No. 6) The flanker is a curiosity in rugby union, being the only true all-rounder position with no set duties. It is therefore paradoxical that flankers are considered potential game-winning players. In the scrum, they are not big pushers and, although they must stay locked to the scrum until the ball is out (a recent introduction to the laws), they must respond quickly and unbind when it does.

Blindside flankers are generally larger than their openside counterparts and are so-called because they attach to the scrum on the side closer to the touchline and cover attacks on the blindside of the scrum. Throughout the game, the blindside flanker should act as a real ball-winner and can even perform duties as a jumper in the lineout. Openside Flanker (No. 7) Fundamentally similar to the blindside flanker, the openside equivalent is usually smaller and more agile, with extra pace to provide impetus to attacks. In the scrum, they are found on the side furthest from the touchline, allowing them to get into open play more quickly and, if they receive possession, test out the opponent’s defence for weaknesses. Famous Flankers – Richie McCaw (New Zealand), François Pienaar (South Africa), Wavell Wakefield (England) Number Eight (No. 8) The number eight is very much a linking man for the Forwards and the Backs, incorporating the attributes of both sets. Their fundamental role is to augment the team’s ball-winning and ball-carrying.

As such, they can be found in the rear of the scrum, controlling the movement and either feeding the ball to the scrum-half once it has been hooked back, or taking the ball on and running at the opposition. Similarly, they are typically located at the back of the lineout, providing an option for a long throw-in. Famous Number Eights – Hennie Muller (South Africa), Lawrence Dallaglio (England), Morne du Plessis (South Africa) The Backs The Backs are expected to both create and convert point-scoring opportunities after the ball has been won and taken on by the Forwards. All members have to be agile and dynamic, with pace a major attribute for many positions, but kicking skills are a priority elsewhere. Moreover, just as the Forwards have grown more agile in recent years, so too the disparity in size and strength between the Forwards and the Backs has shrunk markedly to allow the latter to contribute more effectively in defence and attack. Scrum-half (No. 9) Much like the number 8 links the Forwards to the Backs, so too the scrum-half connects the Backs to the Forwards.

The scrum-half is involved in play at all times – feeding the ball into the scrum and usually distributing after it has left, standing at the side of the lineout waiting to receive the ball from the jumpers, and following rucks and mauls. He or she is also the first line of defence in most situations. Precisely because of these duties, the scrum-half has to be smaller than the majority of the team, have outstanding handling and distribution, as well as a fair amount of guile. For example, England’s Matt Dawson set up teammate Jonny Wilkinson’s famous drop goal to win the World Cup final in 2003 with what he later described as a ‘schoolboy dummy’ to evade tacklers and gain the necessary territory, putting Wilkinson in range. Famous Scrum-Halves – Gareth Edwards (Wales; arguably the greatest player of all-time), Matt Dawson (England), George Gregan (Australia) Fly-half (No. 10) Otherwise known as the flying half back, the fly-half is arguably the most influential player on the pitch, as he calls the tactical game on the pitch with his kicking, distribution and ball-carrying from deep.

The fly-half is also typically the goal-kicker. As a result, the fly-half has to be a leader, a powerful and accurate kicker, and yet also perform to the highest standard in defense. Famous Fly-Halves – Jonny Wilkinson (England), Grant Fox (New Zealand), Michael Lynagh (Australia), Daniel Carter (New Zealand) Wingers (Nos. 11 & 14) The wingers are big try scorers and are usually seen on hand finishing a successful attack. Every time you hear a commentator refer to an ‘overlap’, for example, it will typically be the winger who receives the scoring pass. Therefore, the wingers are the quickest players and, during attacks, run into the space up to the try line provided by the forwards and the other backs. That said, because of their defensive duties, recent decades have seen more powerful wingers who can ride tackles as well as put in strong ones of their own. The incredible impact of New Zealand’s 19-stone winger Jonah Lomu in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups was a decisive moment, encouraging wingers to take on the traits of other players as well as their physiques.

As such, wingers today can also be ‘link players’, comprising the skills of half-backs and fullbacks as part of ‘the 3’ (the two wingers and the full-back – all with starting positions closest to their team’s goal area). Famous Wingers – David Campese (Australia), Jonah Lomu (New Zealand), Doug Howlett (New Zealand), Jason Robinson (England) Inside Centre (No. 12) & Outside Centre (No. 13) Like their flanker counterparts in the Forwards, the Centres are all-rounders, but with extra power, mobility and handling to augment the defensive capabilities of the Backs as well as provide some venom to the offence. Both Centres receive frequent balls from the fly-half to test the opposition’s defensive line and expose gaps which either they or the wingers can profit from. However, whereas the outside centre tends more towards wing-play, the inside centre more closely approximates the fly-half in his or her abilities.

It is subsequently far from unique for a fly-half to play at inside centre and vice versa (England’s Jonny Wilkinson is a notable example) Famous Centres – Tana Umaga (New Zealand), Philippe Sella (France), Mike Tindall (England), Mils Muliaina (New Zealand) Fullback (No. 15) The fullback acts as a sweeper behind the first few lines of defence, but his responsibilities don’t end with tackling. The fullback must also have good handling, distribution and kicking. Furthermore, despite his withdrawn position in the scrums and the lineouts, the fullback has become increasingly pivotal to a team’s offensive game in recent years – initiating attacks from deep in the field. One tradition which has endured is the fullback’s duty to contend with high-kicks from opposition players while under pressure. Famous Fullbacks – Christian Cullen (New Zealand), Gavin Hastings (Scotland), George Nepia (New Zealand)

Question: In a rugby union team, what number does the fly half wear on their shirt?
Answer: 10